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A series of oxygen‐ and sulfur‐bridged L‐shaped π‐electron cores (π‐cores) with Cssymmetry, dinaphtho [2, 1‐b:2′,3′‐d] furan (DNF−L) and dinaphtho [2, 1‐b:2′,3′‐d] thiophene (DNT−L), have been designed and investigated. DNF−Land DNT−Lwere successfully synthesized from commercially available 2‐methoxylnaphthalene in three and four steps, respectively. Notably, these compounds exhibited extremely high solubility in common organic solvents even without substituents and excellent thermal and chemical stability. X‐ray single‐crystal structural analyses of DNF−Land DNT−Lreveal that both molecules form herringbone‐type packing structures suitable for two‐dimensional charge transport, but the packing of DNT−Lhas a large displacement in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Moreover, DNF−Lshows a charge carrier mobility of up to 1.5 cm2/Vs in single‐crystal transistors, indicating that these L‐shaped molecules have excellent potential as organic semiconducting backbones with high solubility and high thermal and chemical stabilities. Building bridges: A series of oxygen and sulfur‐bridged L‐shaped π‐cores, DNF−Land DNT−L, have been designed and investigated. DNF−Land DNT−Lwere successfully synthesized in three and four steps, respectively. Notably, these compounds exhibited extremely high solubility even without substituents and excellent thermal and chemical stability. Moreover, DNF−Lshows a hole carrier mobility of up to 1.5 cm2/Vs in single‐crystal transistors, indicating that DNF−Lhas potential as a scaffold for printable organic semiconducting π‐cores.

We have developed two novel, isomeric compounds of phenyl-substituted dinaphtho[2,3-b:2′,3′-d]furan (Ph-DNF-VWand Ph-DNF-VV) using a facile synthetic protocol. Notably, Ph-DNF-VWhas been shown to be a strong candidate for light-emitting device applications: it forms a herringbone-packing structure with effective C–H⋯π interactions between phenyl moieties, and exhibits a high thermal stability in the crystal phase in air and a high fluorescence quantum yield in the solid state. Additionally, its carrier mobility is comparable to that of amorphous silicon.We have developed two novel, isomeric compounds of phenyl-substituted dinaphtho[2,3-b:2′,3′-d]furan (Ph-DNF-VWand Ph-DNF-VV) using a facile synthetic protocol. Notably, Ph-DNF-VWhas been shown to be a strong candidate for light-emitting device applications: it forms a herringbone-packing structure with effective C–H⋯π interactions between phenyl moieties, exhibits a high thermal stability in crystal phase in air, and a high fluorescence quantum yield in the solid state. Additionally, its carrier mobility is comparable to amorphous silicon.

We have recently developed dinaphtho[2,3-b:2',3'-d]furan (DNF–V) derivatives as a new type of solution-processable organic semiconducting material with high carrier mobility and high emission efficiency in the solid state. In this article, we systematically investigate and reveal the impact of the substitution position and the length of the alkyl side chains on their physicochemical properties based on their packing structures. For both alkylated DNF–VVand DNF–VWderivatives, the solubilities and the phase-transition temperatures increase as the shorter alkyl chains are attached. In particular, alkylated DNF–VVsimultaneously achieve high solubility (over 1 wt%) and a highly stabilized crystal phase (up to 199 °C). Furthermore, DNF–Vderivatives exhibit a deep-blue emission in the solid state with a quantum efficiency ranging from 17 to 51%. Such a range of physicochemical properties is probably related to the dependencies on the molecular geometry in the crystal state and the length of the alkyl side chains.

We examined nitrification in the euphotic zone, its impact on the nitrogen cycles, and the controlling factors along a 7500?km transect from the equatorial Pacific Ocean to the Arctic Ocean. Ammonia oxidation occurred in the euphotic zone at most of the stations. The gene and transcript abundances for ammonia oxidation indicated that the shallow clade archaea were the major ammonia oxidizers throughout the study regions. Ammonia oxidation accounted for up to 87.4% (average 55.6%) of the rate of nitrate assimilation in the subtropical oligotrophic region. However, in the shallow Bering and Chukchi sea shelves (bottom ?67?m), the percentage was small (0–4.74%) because ammonia oxidation and the abundance of ammonia oxidizers were low, the light environment being one possible explanation for the low activity. With the exception of the shallow bottom stations, depth-integrated ammonia oxidation was positively correlated with depth-integrated primary production. Ammonia oxidation was low in the high-nutrient low-chlorophyll subarctic region and high in the Bering Sea Green Belt, and primary production in both was influenced by micronutrient supply. An ammonium kinetics experiment demonstrated that ammonia oxidation did not increase significantly with the addition of 31–1560?nmammonium at most stations except in the Bering Sea Green Belt. Thus, the relationship between ammonia oxidation and primary production does not simply indicate that ammonia oxidation increased with ammonium supply through decomposition of organic matter produced by primary production but that ammonia oxidation might also be controlled by micronutrient availability as with primary production.

We examined nitrification in the euphotic zone, its impact on the nitrogen cycles, and the controlling factors along a 7500 km transect from the equatorial Pacific Ocean to the Arctic Ocean. Ammonia oxidation occurred in the euphotic zone at most of the stations. The gene and transcript abundances for ammonia oxidation indicated that the shallow clade archaea were the major ammonia oxidizers throughout the study regions. Ammonia oxidation accounted for up to 87.4% (average 55.6%) of the rate of nitrate assimilation in the subtropical oligotrophic region. However, in the shallow Bering and Chukchi sea shelves (bottom ⩽67 m), the percentage was small (0–4.74%) because ammonia oxidation and the abundance of ammonia oxidizers were low, the light environment being one possible explanation for the low activity. With the exception of the shallow bottom stations, depth-integrated ammonia oxidation was positively correlated with depth-integrated primary production. Ammonia oxidation was low in the high-nutrient low-chlorophyll subarctic region and high in the Bering Sea Green Belt, and primary production in both was influenced by micronutrient supply. An ammonium kinetics experiment demonstrated that ammonia oxidation did not increase significantly with the addition of 31–1560 nm ammonium at most stations except in the Bering Sea Green Belt. Thus, the relationship between ammonia oxidation and primary production does not simply indicate that ammonia oxidation increased with ammonium supply through decomposition of organic matter produced by primary production but that ammonia oxidation might also be controlled by micronutrient availability as with primary production.

Background: Blue nevus is a benign dermal melanocyte tumor that mainly arises from the skin. We report an extremely rare case of blue nevus in a pediatric patient with extensive progression from the middle ear and inner ear to the nasopharynx through the Eustachian tube.Case Report: A 2-year-old girl with blue tympanum was referred to our department. Computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging were performed, followed by a tissue biopsy and histopathologic evaluations. Radiologic examinations revealed that the lesion had progressed beyond the middle ear into the inner ear and the nasopharynx through the Eustachian tube. Subsequent histopathologic examinations indicated dermal dendritic melanocytic proliferations, but no evidence of malignancy. Based on the clinical and histopathologic findings, we concluded that the lesion was consistent with blue nevus.Discussion: Blue nevus is a relatively common skin lesion. However, no prior reports have described the extension of blue nevus from the auditory organ to the nasopharynx in a pediatric patient. Despite the benign nature of the lesion, the patient experienced profound hearing loss in the affected ear, which necessitates continued monitoring as the lesion may expand with patient growth.

Background and aims:Accumulation of damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) occurs in myocardial tissue with advancing age. However, despite higher incidence of cardiac diseases in the elderly, little attempt has been made to detect deletions of mtDNA in the myocardial tissue of aged individuals. The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between aging, mtDNA deletion and cardiovascular (CV) diseases. Methods:We examined 163 autopsy cases, aged 60 years or older, using two different kinds of polymerase chain reaction (PCR): highly sensitive PCR to detect a common 4977- bp deletion and long- PCR for multiple deletions, which could be detected in case that deleted mtDNA accounted for more than several percents in total mtDNA. Results:The common 4977- bp deletion was detected in 156 cases (95.7%), showing no significant difference among these age groups and no relation to CV diseases. By long- PCR, multiple deletions in cardiac mtDNA were found in 33 (20.2%) of 163 cases. The proportion of the mtDNA deletion in the nineties (46.2%) was significantly higher than those in the younger (15.3%, p<0.05). Female predominance was significantly found in the group with the mtDNA deletion (p<0.05). Multiple deletions of mtDNA were not significantly related to ischemic change, valvular diseases, left ventricular hypertrophy, congestive heart failure, coronary sclerosis, or heart weight except for right ventricular hypertrophy. Conclusions:These findings suggest that there is a close relationship between aging and deletion of mtDNA, and that the ratio of deleted mtDNA to total mtDNA increases with advancing age. Age-related deletion of mtDNA may have little influence on CV diseases except for right ventricular hypertrophy.

Telomerase is known to be activated and telomere length altered in various types of malignant and benign tumors, but whether this is also the case for parathyroid lesions has hitherto been unclear. We therefore investigated telomerase activity and telomere length in 3 parathyroid metastatic cancers, 6 adenomas, 2 cases of parathyroid hyperplasia, and 16 samples of normal parathyroid tissue. Telomerase activity, assayed by the telomeric repeat amplification protocol, was detected in all of the parathyroid cancers (100%), in none of the 8 parathyroid benign lesions, and in only 1 of the 16 normal parathyroid samples (8.3%). Telomere length, determined by the terminal restriction fragment assay, was reduced in the tumor tissues with a mean telomere length of 8.23 ± 0.86 kbp compared with the 12.61 ± 0.81 kbp for the 16 age-matched subjects (p = 0.002). The results indicate that telomerase activity and telomere length may reflect the biologic behavior of individual parathyroid lesions.

Telomerase is known to be activated and telomere length altered in various types of malignant and benign tumors, but whether this is also the case for parathyroid lesions has hitherto been unclear. We therefore investigated telomerase activity and telomere length in 3 parathyroid metastatic cancers, 6 adenomas, 2 cases of parathyroid hyperplasia, and 16 samples of normal parathyroid tissue. Telomerase activity, assayed by the telomeric repeat amplification protocol, was detected in all of the parathyroid cancers (100%), in none of the 8 parathyroid benign lesions, and in only 1 of the 16 normal parathyroid samples (8.3%). Telomere length, determined by the terminal restriction fragment assay, was reduced in the tumor tissues with a mean telomere length of 8.23 ± 0.86 kbp compared with the 12.61 ± 0.81 kbp for the 16 age-matched subjects (p = 0.002). The results indicate that telomerase activity and telomere length may reflect the biologic behavior of individual parathyroid lesions.

Abstract: In the present study, we analyzed both telomere length and telomerase activity in surgical and autopsy samples of non-neoplastic mucosa and carcinomas of the stomach. Telomere length, determined by Southern blot analysis, demonstrated progressive shortening with age in non-neoplastic gastric mucosal specimens from 38 human subjects aged between 0 and 99 years, with an average annual loss rate of 46 base pairs (bp). The mean (±SD) telomere length in 21 gastric carcinomas was 7.0 ± 1.6 × 103 base pairs (1.6 kbp). In 20 (95%) of the 21 subjects, the values were smaller than those in the non-neoplastic gastric mucosa (mean shortening 1.8 kbp), although a strong correlation was observed for the paired data (r = 0.69, P = 0.0004). Similarly, telomere lengths in carcinomas were shorter than those for intestinal metaplasia (a mean difference of 1.1 kbp). Telomerase activity, estimated using the telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay, was positive in 18 (86%) of the 21 gastric carcinomas, without significant differences among the three histological types (well, moderately, and poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas) or with sex or age. The results suggest that telomere length and possibly shortening rates vary with the individual, and that examination of both non-neoplastic mucosa and tumors is necessary to improve our understanding of the significance of telomerase in neoplasia.

Progressive telomere shortening with aging was studied using normal esophageal mucosal specimens from 177 human subjects aged between 0 and 102 years (yrs). We observed age-related shortening of the telomere, at a rate of 60 base pairs (bp) per year (yr). The mean telomere length of 12 neonates was 15.2 kilobase pairs (kbp) and that of 2 centenarians was 9.3 kbp. Mean (±SD) telomere lengths were 14.9±1.3, 14.0±1.8, 10.1±3.7, 10.4±3.3 and 9.5±3.1 kbp for the age groups less than 2 yrs, 2–20 yrs, 21–60 yrs, 61–80 yrs and 81–102 yrs, respectively. The variation in telomere length among individuals in the same age group was greater for the 3 older groups than for the 2 younger groups, as shown by the SDs. Furthermore, older individuals had greater telomere length variation than younger individuals, based on the lengths of DNA digested smears. Although the telomere length decreased significantly with aging at the rate of 60 bp per yr, differences in the mean telomere lengths between the 3 older age groups were not significant. Rapid shortening occurred in the young generations and there was no further substantial decrease in the esophageal mucosa after 60 yrs of age. Compared to the very rapid renewal rate of the esophageal epithelial cells, the annual reduction rate in telomere length was very low. These findings support the hypothesis that germ cells in the esophageal epithelium have a mechanism to lengthen telomeres.Progressive telomere shortening with aging was studied using normal esophageal mucosal specimens from 177 human subjects aged between 0 and 102 years (yrs). We observed age-related shortening of the telomere, at a rate of 60 base pairs (bp) per year (yr). The mean telomere length of 12 neonates was 15.2 kilobase pairs (kbp) and that of 2 centenarians was 9.3 kbp. Mean (±SD) telomere lengths were 14.9±1.3, 14.0±1.8, 10.1±3.7, 10.4±3.3 and 9.5±3.1 kbp for the age groups less than 2 yrs, 2–20 yrs, 21–60 yrs, 61–80 yrs and 81–102 yrs, respectively. The variation in telomere length among individuals in the same age group was greater for the 3 older groups than for the 2 younger groups, as shown by the SDs. Furthermore, older individuals had greater telomere length variation than younger individuals, based on the lengths of DNA digested smears. Although the telomere length decreased significantly with aging at the rate of 60 bp per yr, differences in the mean telomere lengths between the 3 older age groups were not significant. Rapid shortening occurred in the young generations and there was no further substantial decrease in the esophageal mucosa after 60 yrs of age. Compared to the very rapid renewal rate of the esophageal epithelial cells, the annual reduction rate in telomere length was very low. These findings support the hypothesis that germ cells in the esophageal epithelium have a mechanism to lengthen telomeres.

To determine whether risk factors of ulcerative colitis among Japanese are the same as those observed in other countries, we conducted a case-control study in Japan in 1988–90. Patients selected for the study were receiving financial aid for treatment of the disease; an equal number of population-based controls matched by age and sex were selected. Smoking decreased the risk of the disease (odds ratio = 0.30; 95 confidence interval, 0.16–0.56), and stopping smoking increased the risk (odds ratio compared with those who had never smoked = 1.44; 95 confidence interval, 0.73–2.85). In those who drank alcoholic beverages ≥ 5 days a week, disease development was less likely than in others (odds ratio = 0.49; 95 confidence interval, 0.30–0.81). In addition, difficulties in human relations at work, a family history of asthma, a medical history of surgical procedures, and personality traits such as nervousness, anxiety, and obsessive behavior were also considered risk factors. Although some findings are similar to those in former studies, a few findings are different: surgical procedures, occupational status, and a family history of the disease. To clarify whether the differences are consistent will require other case-control studies.

Summary The histopathology of the liver and the detectability of intrahepatic hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers were studied in 34 autopsy cases in elderly patients (mean age 73.9 years, range 60–91 years) who had had a history of positive HBV surface antigenaemia prior to death. Seven of 14 persistent HBV carrier cases (group A) in which long-lasting HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) carriage in the sera had been confirmed by sequential assays, and 5 out of 15 HBV-infected people (group C, single assay) showed significant primary liver damages including chronic hepatitis, toxic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In 5 cases (group B), one of which was type B liver cirrhosis, HBsAg became negative and HBsAb appeared during the follow-up period (up to 33 months). Among confirmed HBV carriers, HBsAg and HBV core antigen were most frequently found in the liver of cirrhotic cases with and without hepatocellular carcinoma (5 of 6), whereas these were rarely detected in those with nonspecific changes or slight hepatitic activity (1 of 7). All 5 cases in group B were negative for histological HBV-related antigens and the findings in group C were variously interpreted. Post-mortem cases of the aged HBV carriers who survived their mean life expectancy represent an important population in which to study the natural history of HBV carriers.

Mixed-metal assemblies {NBu4[M(II)Fe(III)(ox)3]}38(M = Ni (1), Fe (2), Mn, Zn) have been prepared and characterized, where NBu4+= tetra(n-butyl)ammonium ion, ox2-= oxalate ion. Each assumes a three-dimensional network structure consisting of alternately arrayed Fe(III) and M(II) ions. The compounds 1and 2are shown to be ferrimagnet with a magnetic phase-transition temperature of 28 and 43 K, respectively.

Tissue distribution and cellular localization of rhophilin, a 71 kDa Rho‐binding protein, were examined in mice. Rhophilin mRNA was highly expressed in adult testis, but was absent in the testis of W/WVmice deficient in germ cells. An anti‐rhophilin antibody detected a band of an expected size in sperm extracts, which was enriched in the tail fraction. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed two lines of striated staining running in parallel in the principal piece of the sperm tail. These results suggest that rhophilin is expressed in germ cells and localized in the fibrous sheath of the sperm tail.

A new cyclic tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) tetramer 1was synthesized. The cyclic voltammogram of 1consists of four pairs of two-electron redox waves. UV–vis–NIR spectra of the oxidative species of 1suggest that 12+, 14+, and 16+possibly adopt two pairs of dimeric TTF structures that interact with each other through the so-called side-by-side interaction.

Trimeric and tetrameric TTFs 1and 2linked alternately by methylenedithio groups were synthesized. Cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry indicated that the dicationic state of tetrameric TTF 2exhibited the mixed-valence state constructed not by the tetrameric TTF units but by two dimeric mutually independent TTF units.

Several molecular conductors based on CP-TTP, where CP-TTP is 2-(4,5-cyclopenteno-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-5-(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene, have been prepared. X-ray structure analyses revealed that all the CP-TTP conductors obtained so far have ß-type array of the donors regardless of the counter anions. Among them, the ReO4-and Au(CN)2-salts exhibited metallic conducting behavior down to 10 K.

A new tetrathiapentalene (TTP) donor 2-(4,5-dimethoxy-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-5-(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene (DMO-TTP) has been synthesized, and the PF6and AsF6salts have also been prepared by electrochemical crystallization. X-ray structure analyses have revealed that intermolecular and intramolecular CH···O hydrogen bondings are constructed in the neutral crystal and the cation radical salts, respectively. The PF6and AsF6salts have a so-called ß-type arrangement of the donors and show metallic behavior down to around 10 K.

A series of oxygen‐ and sulfur‐bridged L‐shaped π‐electron coreswith Cssymmetry, dinaphtho[2,1‐b:2′,3′‐d]furan (DNF–L) and dinaphtho[2,1‐b:2′,3′‐d]thiophene (DNT–L), have been designed and investigated. DNF–L and DNT–L were successfully synthesized from commercially available 2‐methoxylnaphthalene in three and four steps, respectively. Notably, these compounds exhibited high solubilities in common organic solvents and excellent thermal and chemical stabilities. Moreover, DNF–L shows a charge carrier mobility of up to 1.5 cm2/Vs in single‐crystal transistors. More information can be found in the Full Paper by Toshihiro Okamoto, Masafumi Yano et al. on page 2309 in Issue 11, 2018(DOI: 10.1002/ajoc.201800403).

In the past decade, the serum free light chain (FLC) immunoassays have become widely available enabling greater sensitivity in the diagnosis and management of monoclonal light chain diseases. Here, we describe a rare case of serum free light chain only myeloma with cytoplasmic IgM. A 75-year-old woman presented with a progressively worsening lumbosacral pain. FDG PET/CT images showed increased FDG uptake in the sacral mass, vertebral bodies, and ribs. Laboratory data found hypogammaglobulinemia and the bone marrow aspirate revealed only 2.2% of plasma cells. The serum and urine protein electrophoresis did not detect a monoclonal band. However, the serum FLC immunoassays reported an abnormal kappa/lambda ratio (0.001) indicating the presence of monoclonal lambda FLC. The sacral tumor biopsy revealed proliferation of plasma cells and immunohistochemical staining showed that the plasma cells were positive for CD138, IgM, and lambda light chain but negative for CD20. This case may have previously been described as a nonsecretory IgM myeloma but recently would be identified as free light chain only myeloma. The immunohistochemical and genetic features of the clonal plasma cells in free light chain only myeloma need to be further investigated to better understand the relevance and incidence of this myeloma type.

Background. Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is a benign tumour that mainly arises from salivary glands, and PA of the external auditory canal (EAC) is very rare. The objective of this study was to clarify the clinical presentation and treatment of PA of the EAC. Method. The authors present a case of PA arising from the EAC together with a literature review. Results. A 40-year-old man complained of hearing loss and foreign-body sensation of the right ear. Clinical and radiological examinations revealed a well-defined tumour limited to the EAC, with no connection to the parotid gland. Preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology findings were characteristic of PA. The tumour was removed en bloc with the overlying skin. Conclusion. PA of the EAC is very rare, and methods to rule out malignancy before treatment are lacking. Thus, long-term follow-up is necessary, because malignant tumours are common in the EAC and PA has malignant potential.

The compound (Va) exhibits conductivity of 10‐6S cm‐1in spite of a single‐component material.

Two homologous azobenzene-linked amphiphiles, which possess the same chemical structure except for hydrophilic groups, were mixed at the molecular level in a monolayer. The polar amphiphile with nitro substituent as a hydrophilic group was vertically oriented in the mixed monolayer by performing molecular mixing with the homologous amphiphile with small polarity. Strong second-harmonic generation compared with those in each single-component monolayer was observed in the mixed monolayer.

Thick noncentrosymmetric LB films of more than 200 bilayers (thickness of more than 1 µm) were successfully fabricated with an alternating deposition of a phenylpyrazine derivative and arachidic acid monolayers. The alternating LB films were transparent from visible to near infrared region. Spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction studies on the alternating LB films proved that molecules were predominantly oriented normal to the film plane in the LB film. Further, the quadratic dependence of second-harmonic (SH) intensity on film thickness was confirmed in the LB films in the wide range of thickness from 1 to 200 bilayers. From the SH generation measurement, the alternating LB films were found to have fairly large second-order nonlinear susceptibility, which was estimated to be 1×10-7esu.